Study center

ABSTRACT

The study center is a unique, multi-folded sheet constructed of rigid panels that shields a student&#39;s work from others in the classroom during testing and other activities. The center is made of rigid card stock or plastic  {fraction (1/16)}  of an inch thick that is laminated. This invention is portable and replaces the large, expensive, and isolated study carrels used in an educational setting. The study center allows students with Attention-Deficit (ADD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to remain at their desks among their peers while shielding them from classroom distractions. The study center sits on a desk or table and is comprised of two sides, a back, and a top that hinges at an angle over the center that allows the teacher to view each student&#39;s work. When folded, the study center will fit nicely in a three-ring binder or notebook for storage.

[0001] students use file folders to keep other children in closeproximity from copying their work. In other classrooms, teachersroutinely ask students to use measures such as these to preventcheating. Particularly, with the state mandated tests all teachers areincreasingly on guard to insure all students complete his or her ownwork. Many school districts today are replacing individual student deskswith tables to cut costs. It is not uncommon to have four or fivestudents seated at a table. Hence, there is a need for this device thatshields a student's work from others. At the present time there is noportable device available to students to shield their work from others.Typically, each student makes a barrier by placing folders or notebooksaround their work to insure privacy.

[0002] It is an object of the present invention to provide amulti-folded panel to shield a student's work from others. When thepanel is set-up on a table the angle of the top allows the teacher toeasily view the student work from behind the child. Additionally, whenthe student is finished the device can be folded again and easily heldwithin a notebook.

[0003] In addition, another object of this present invention to providestudents who have attention-deficit disorder with an area where they canwork with relatively few distractions. The device can be folded in waysthat will block distractions from each side and the front whileproviding adequate space in which to work comfortably. This device willhelp these students focus on the work in front of them. Presently,students with ADD and ADHD conditions are required to go to large andexpensive study carrels to help them focus on their work. These carrelstake up much needed space in the classroom. My invention provides thesestudents with a study center that is easily stored in their three-ringbinders and allows them to remain at their own desk or table.

[0004] Finally, the object of this invention to provide privacy forindividuals as they play board games or other desk top activities thatrequire isolation from view.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a portable desktop, study center toprovide privacy for students and others while working at a desk ortable. The device is foldable and can be placed in a notebook, issturdy, lightweight, simple in design, easy to construct, and easy tomanufacture which can be utilized in a variety of ways. This inexpensivestudy center can replace expensive study center carrels that take upclassroom space. Students with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and ADHDconditions can easily place this device on their desk or table to helpthem focus on their own work. These students are easily distracted bythe activity going on around them. This portable study center wouldallow ADD students to remain at their desks among their peers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0006]FIG. 1 is a view of the present invention laying flat on thetable.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a view of the device with the top engaged for use.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a view of the device with the top raised vertically withthe back panels.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view of the device with the top and four triangularsides folded behind the side and back panels.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a view of the device in the folded position that istypically stored in a notebook.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a view of the side of the present invention todemonstrate the triangular folds when the top is in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0012] The following materials are used to make the study center. Eachsection can be made with a rigid cardboard-like material or other rigidsubstance (that can be laminated) approximately {fraction (1/16)} of aninch thick. After each piece is cut to size and shape it is laminatedwith a plastic or vinyl coating. Each section must be adequately spacedto allow the study center to be folded into its proper shape whether itis folded for storage in a three-ring binder or folded for use at atable.

[0013] When in use the study center has two sides labeled A and D. Theback section is labeled sections B and C. The top sections are labeledsections G and H. The top rectangular sections G and H are to be cuttwo-thirds of the width of all the other rectangular sections of thestudy center. This allows for the teacher to view the work inside of thestudy center.

[0014] In addition, the triangular sections E and F fold outside of the“center” on the left side with triangle E secured to the outside of theleft rectangular side A. On the right side, the triangular sections Iand J fold outside of the “center” on the right side with triangle Jsecured to the outside of the right rectangular side D.

[0015] When the study center is to be stored in a three-ring binder thetop rectangular sections G and H as well as all of the triangular piecesare folded inward to labeled rectangular parts A, B, C, & D. The centeris then folded together with the back sections B and C facing each otherwhile side sections A and D face outward.

[0016] “The Study Center” is specifically comprised of the followingparts. The outside left rectangular portion is designated as part “A”,the inside left rectangular portion is designated as part “B”, the upperleft rectangular portion is designated as part “G”, the outside lefttriangular portion is designated as part “E”, and the inside lefttriangular portion is designated as part “F”. Similar designations arefound on the right side of the invention. The outside right rectangularportion is designated as part “D”, the inside right rectangular portionis designated as part “C”, the upper right rectangular portion isdesignated as part “H”, the outside right triangular portion isdesignated as part “J”, and the inside right triangular portion isdesignated as part “I”. Additionally, the top edge of the outside leftof rectangular panel “A” is foldably attached to the bottom edge of theoutside left triangular part designated “E”. The right edge of theoutside left rectangular portion “A” is foldably attached to the leftedge of the inside left rectangular portion designated as “B”. The topedge of the inside left rectangular portion “B” is foldably attached tothe bottom edge of the upper left rectangular portion designated “G”.The left edge of the inside left triangular portion “F” is foldablyattached to the right edge of the outside left triangular portion “E”,and the right edge of the inside left triangular portion “F” is foldablyattached to the left edge of the upper left rectangular portion “G”.Similar folding attachments are found on the right side of theinvention. The top edge of the outside right rectangular portiondesignated “D” is foldably attached to the bottom edge of the outsideright triangular portion “J”. The left edge of the outside rectangularportion “D” is foldably attached to the right edge of the inside rightrectangular portion “C”. The top edge of the inside right rectangularportion “C” is foldably attached to the bottom edge of the upper rightrectangular portion “H”. The right edge of the inside right triangularportion “I” is foldably attached to the left edge of the outside righttriangular portion “J”, and the left edge of the inside right triangularportion “I” is foldably attached to the right edge of the upper rightrectangular portion “H”. Finally, similar folding attachments are foundin the middle of the invention. The right edge of the inside leftrectangular portion “B” is foldably attached to the left edge of theinside right rectangular portion “C”, and the right edge of the upperleft rectangular portion “G” is foldably attached to the left edge ofthe upper right rectangular portion designated “H”.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back is comprised ofpanels B and C; the top is comprised of panels G and H; the sides arecomprised of panels A and D; and the top is foldably attached to thesides (A, D) and back (B, C) by the triangular sections (E, F) and (I,J). Each section is foldably attached to the adjacent sections.

[0018]FIGS. 2 and 6 are perspective views showing the top in the engagedposition. The triangular panels (E, F) and (I, J) were constructed byforming a right triangle (E, F) on the top of panel A and the side ofpanel G; and forming a right triangle (I, J) on the top of side panel Dand the side of top panel H. These two triangles (E, F) and (I, J) werethen cut in half to form triangles (E, F) and triangles (I, J). TriangleE is foldably attached on top of side panel A. Triangle J is foldablyattached on top of side panel D. When the triangles E and J are foldedbehind side panels A and D the top is held at an angle of approximately30 degrees. There are two snaps that secure the top in this positionSnap #1 is located on the back of panel A. Triangular panel E snaps toside panel A. Snap #2 is located on the back of side panel D. Triangularpanel J snaps to side panel D.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in the folded positionready to be placed in a notebook. Typically, the top panels and thetriangular panels are folded toward the work space area. Top panels Gand H are folded against back panels B and C. Triangular panels E and Fare folded against side panel A. Triangular panels I and J are foldedagainst side panel D. Back panels B and C are then folded against eachother covering top panels G and H. The back of side panel A is thenfolded against the back of back panel B. The back of side panel D isthen folded against the back of back panel C. When the device is in thisfolded position the triangular panels are exposed on the top and bottomfolds.

[0020] Dimensions of The Study Center

[0021] The study center prototype has the following dimensions.Rectangular sections A, B, C, & D each have a length of 11 inches and awidth of 9 inches. The top sections G and H have a length of 11 inchesand a width of 6 inches. The left triangular section E has a side of 11inches that is foldably attached to the top of the left rectangularsection A. Likewise the right triangular sections J has a side of 11inches that is foldably attached to the top of the right rectangularsection D. The other two sides of triangles E and J each have a lengthof 6¼ inches. The left triangular section F has a side measuring 6inches that is foldably attached to the left side of rectangular sectionG. The left triangular section F also has two sides that measure 6¼inches with one of those sides foldably attached to the top righttriangular section E. The right triangular section I has a side thatmeasures 6 inches that is foldably attached to the right side ofrectangular section H. The right triangular section I also have twosides that measure 6¼ inches with one of those sides foldably attachedto the top triangular section J.

[0022] It is possible to change these dimensions of the study center toconstruct a smaller model but the scale should remain the same to insurethe top section assembles with the triangular and rectangular sectionsin the same way as the prototype.

1) What I claim as my invention is a portable desktop, study center toprovide privacy for students and others while working at a table ordesk: The present invention is a unique multi-fold sheet comprised ofrigid panels that shield a student's work from others and when foldedfits in a three-ring binder. The invention has a top panel that isfoldably attached to the top and sides to provide privacy for studentswith attention-deficit disorder and ADHD conditions and allows them toremain seated with their peers. 2) What I claim as my invention is acenter that can be utilized with board games and other activities toensure privacy while still communicating with those at the table.